'allotrope' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'allotropia,' where 'allo-' meant 'other' and 'tropos' meant 'way' or 'manner.'

'allotropia' transformed into the French word 'allotropie,' and eventually became the modern English word 'allotrope' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'other manner or form,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'different structural forms of the same element.'